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Meet Kikin Ucelo of Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix in 43rd Ave & Northern

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kikin Ucelo.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kikin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in March 1979, in Guatemala, where my father and Master was already a black belt and owner of a Wado Ryu Karate School where I spent most of my afternoons training with him. In 1993 I received my black belt and since then I have enjoyed the opportunity to teach and help others in the martial way. I love to compete and won various titles throughout the years. Having won 1996 – 2000 the World United Martial Arts Championship in both forms and sparring as well as in Korea in 2009.

I opened our Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix location in September of 2003 after my car broke down, when I came to visit a friend. It turned out to be a major repair that I didn’t have the money for repair, my friend gave me a job and next thing you know 15 years later, I still haven’t fixed that car. With the support of my wife, who stands by me everyday and now our 3 kids who also help in the family business.

Having a martial arts school is my dream and teaching and training martial arts is my passion.

In 2012, I obtained my 5th. Dan in Tae Kwon Do and 5th. Dan in Hapkido, I am also a Black belt in Karate Do and Kobudo and also train in the art of Brazilian Jiu jitsu. Where now, I am a brown belt under world champion and UFC fighter, Augusto Tanquihno Mendes.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. Struggles, all of them as a new business owner, from not knowing what to do, where to go , to having a small budget but the dream was and is bigger.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix story. Tell us more about the business.
We operate a family business, where we help others achieve their goals, learn and practice discipline, respect, honor and loyalty through the martial arts way of life.

Our school is our biggest pride and we hold that very high due to that my whole family works together, from my wife at the reception as our program director, to my kids helping me on and off the mat to me on the mat. But it’s not only us we have an incredible group of black belt instructors who make it run smoothly on a daily basis. I don’t know what sets us apart, but I do know everyone who comes becomes part of our family.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Our society need principals of respect, honor, loyalty, so, I think the traditional martial arts industry will always have it place. For sure, there will be new trends but this will only help keep us alive.

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Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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